FINAL RESULTS
ARDEN, N.C. – Clemson women’s golf made history on Tuesday, as all five Tigers finished inside the top 10 for the first time in program history. The team posted a 36-hole score of 578 (+2), cruising to an 18-stroke victory at the French Broad Collegiate Invitational at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove.
Clemson dominated the field, outpacing second-place UNC Charlotte (+20) and host UNC Asheville (+32), marking a statement win for the Tigers this season.
Head coach Kelley Hester said the team’s focus on navigating a challenging course helped produce the dominant performance.
“We’re just really thrilled to come out of here with a win anytime you can play well. I felt like the golf course was a real challenge and the golf course was going to be our main competition. We wanted to play well against it,” Hester said.
This is the largest margin of victory in program history, eclipsing the previous record of six strokes set earlier this season at the Clemson Classic. Clemson bested UNC Asheville by 29 strokes this week at their home course, improving on a six-stroke victory over the same team earlier this season at the Clemson Classic.
The win marks Clemson’s second title of the season, the first time the program has captured two victories in a single season in its 125-tournament history.
Clemson got off to a strong start in Round 1 on Monday, led by Juliette Demeaux, who shot a 67 (-5), the low round of the tournament, to take the early lead.
Senior Isabella Rawl added a 71 (-1) in round one and followed it with another 71 in round two for a 142 (-2) overall, finishing as one of just two players under par in the field. Rawl finished three strokes behind medalist Pinky Chaisliprungruang (139, -5).
Freshman Sarah Uebelhart made a move in round two, carding a 70 (-2) on the back nine to vault into solo fourth at +3 (147).
Demeaux, who led after round one, struggled in round two with an 82, but still finished T-5. Aitana Tuesta shot back-to-back 75s to finish T-7 at +6, while Sydney Roberts closed with rounds of 78-72, also tying for seventh.
The tournament was originally scheduled for 54 holes, but inclement weather on Monday shortened it to 36 holes, with round 1 resuming Tuesday morning and round 2 immediately following.
“The weather, of course, created some challenges, but our whole team finished in the top 10, and to come out of here with a win, we certainly feel like that’s a good way to end your fall,” Hester said.
The win caps one of the strongest fall campaigns for the Tigers, who posted top-five finishes in four of five events in the fall.
Clemson will next compete at the Paradise Invitational, Feb. 2-4, in Boca Raton, Florida.
